THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 395 



islands a few hours, it was impossible to make any bacteriological examinations. 

 In my opinion, if the nature of the food products could be improved, the 

 Bahamas would be quite free from intestinal troubles. Not a single member 

 of our own Expedition contracted dysentery and no case of diarrhea lasted 

 over a day, although many of my companions were imprudent in their diet and 

 exposure to the sun. 



We made a number of chemical and bacteriological examinations of the 

 well and cistern water at Nassau, and found that in some instances they 

 showed contamination from sewerage. 



Diseases of the Eye. 



One cannot travel among the Bahamas without being struck with the 

 numerous diseases of the eye met with everywhere throughout the Islands. 

 Owing to the intense actinic properties of the sun's rays in these regions and 

 the extreme degree of reflection of light from the surface of the blue waters 

 and white coral sands, it is not surprising that such is the case. Without 

 exception, almost all the adults whose occupations required them to expose 

 themselves on the sea and seashore showed conjunctivitis, pingueculce, ptery- 

 gium-growths, iritis, etc. 



One is impressed with the great number of cataracts which usually appear 

 to accompany middle or old age. It was pitiful to see neglected so many cases 

 of ripe cataract which could easily have been operated on with every possibility 

 of restoring sight. 



At Hopetown, Abaco, we found a number of cases of congenital blindness 

 due to atrophy of the optic nerve. In one family alone there were three broth- 

 ers, nearly of the same age, who had been blind from birth (Plate LXXIII, 

 Fig. 3). One of these boys later came to Baltimore to ascertain if anything 

 could be done for his condition. After a careful examination by both Dr. 

 James J. Mills, a specialist in the Eye Department of the Johns Hopkins Hos- 

 pital, and myself, we found that the condition of the eyes was one of pigmentary 

 retinitis and choryditis,, associated with optic nerve atrophy, which is a rare 

 condition and is stated by the authorities to result chiefly from consanguineous 

 marriages. 



This patient was only one of a large number of individuals residing at 

 Hopetown who have suffered from the effects of too close intermarrying. A 

 description of this interesting community is given below. In conclusion I may 

 say that the Bahamas offered a rich field for the investigator of eye diseases. 



